Watch: Home secretary visits Southport stabbing attack scene as six children in critical condition

Watch as home secretary Yvette Cooper visited the scene of a stabbing attack in Southport on Tuesday, 30 July, as six children remain in critical condition.

Three children were killed in the attack at a Taylor Swift themed dance workshop on Hart Street.

Eight other children suffered stab wounds and five are in a critical condition.

Two adults also remain critically ill in hospital with knife injuries after “bravely” trying to protect the young victims.

A 17-year-old boy from Banks was detained by armed police.

Officers have seized a knife in connection with the stabbings, which is not suspected to be terror-related.

The motive is currently unclear and the teenager remains in custody, Merseyside Police said.

Reacting to the attack, Southport MP Patrick Hurley said: “The town is in mourning, the town is in shock this morning. The incident that took place yesterday was uniquely horrific.

“Southport’s a quiet seaside, coastal town. This has just sent shockwaves through the whole community.

“It’s a very small town, Southport, and a lot of families across the area will be impacted directly.

“I think at this stage we need to just reach out, make sure that there’s a level of community healing going on and make sure we give voice to the solidarity that people need right now.”